In partnership with industry, McMaster University engineer Jim Cotton is creating new energy systems that capture waste heat to improve energy efficiency. The system powers, heats and cools areas in communities with intense energy demands, such as big block stores and condominium complexes, ultimately reducing the cost these buildings spend on energy.

To achieve this, the systems store waste heat in the summer and combine it with smart electrification of heating with heat pumps and thermal storage techniques. By integrating thermal and electrical energy, the amount of natural gas needed to heat and power buildings is reduced, which in turn, reduces costs. Cotton and his research team will also develop predictive controls that use weather and energy market forecasts with previous performance data to optimize the system.

“This technology will improve the ways in which Ontario communities manage electrical and thermal energy grids. Communities will be able to site, design, optimize and control these more efficient systems.”